Why is Helium more of an Ideal Gas than Hydrogen?

Answer 1

In the world of chemistry every atom aspires to have a full outer electron shell.

If you look at the table of elements each group (or column) has the same amount of valence electrons (electrons in their outer shell), you may notice the group at the end called the Noble Gasses.

These gasses include helium and have a full outer shell. This means that all atoms aspire to be like noble gasses, (have a full outer shell), to do this they bond with other atoms in order to fill their outer shell.

bonding methods include covalent, ionic, and covalent lattices.

Hydrogen is actually a very important element as it bonds numerously with vast amounts of other element/ atoms. So in terms of bonding it is important. However it is an unidealistic gas if you are trying to isolate it as it is prone to bonding, and will do so with many other gasses, atoms, elements, and molecules. Conversely helium is an "ideal" gas as it will not react with any other atoms under natural circumstances.

Continuing on with the importance of HYDROGEN, many of the cycles in the natural world (water, nitrogen and carbon cycle) all at some stage involve hydrogen so therefore without it these cycles would be greatly altered and life on this planet would be very different.

Hopefully this answers your question.

And to others feel free to edit and correct as I am only a grade 11 chemistry student.

For any further help you can email me at CallumFaulkner@hotmail.com!